Text Messaging Cost

How Much Does Text Messaging Cost?

While there are websites and apps that allow users to send text messages free of charge, sending and receiving messages via a cell phone usually costs extra.

Typical costs:

Cell phone users typically charged $0.10-$0.30 per text for plans that do not include unlimited texts. For example, Sprint[1] charges $0.20 per text for customers who do not have texting included in a plan.

Pre-paid phones offer text plans that either charge per text or allow unlimited texts. For example, depending on which plan a customer signs up for, Verizon[4] charges $0.02-$0.25 per text. AT&T[5] has talk and text plans for prepaid phone that cost $25 and include unlimited text and 250 minutes of talk time.

Sending text message internationally typically is not included in text plans. For example, AT&T[6] charges $10 to send 100 international texts per month. Verizon charges per text sent and received[7] , and rates vary by country, but generally range from $0.05-$0.50 per text. T-Mobile[8] charges $15 for unlimited international text messaging in addition to a limited amount of talk time with international landlines. Sprint[9] offers an unlimited international text message plan for $10.

There are some websites that allow users to send free text messages. For example, Google[10] offers a free SMS service. Some wireless providers offer similar services: Vtext.com[11] allows Verizon customers to receive text messages through the website.

Shopping for text messaging:

To get the best deal on text messaging, calculate usage patterns. Examine previous cell phone bills to see how many text messages are sent and received. If it adds up to more than a few dollars, it is worth looking into a package deal.

If a large number of text messages are sent to users of the same wireless network, check with the carrier to see if it offers a package that includes unlimited text messaging within the network.

When signing up for a plan that includes a text messaging package deal, be sure to look carefully at the fine print before signing to make sure there are no per-message hidden charges.

Frequent travelers who want the ability to send and receive text messages while traveling outside of the United States should look for a carrier (such as AT&T or T-Mobile) that uses the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) network, which offers better coverage internationally.

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I was with bell and had been to florida (live in ontario) in 2008 and was not charged at all for texting. Apparantly they changed the plan the beginning of August 2008 yet when i was in Pensylvannia the middle of august i was not charged. They said texting in the states was now more, but did not inform me and sent me a bill for $1700 for texting while i was in Florida in 2009.

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